Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will fly out to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday morning as their build-up moves into the final stage before a key FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Guinea.
Key takeaways
- The Flamingos depart for Abidjan on Wednesday morning to begin the last phase of preparations for their Guinea tie.
- Head Coach Akeem Busari leads the squad, with travel planned from Lagos via an ASKY Airlines route.
- The first-leg match against Guinea is set for Saturday, 23 May.
- The qualifying meeting is part of the second round for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
- Nigeria’s U17 girls have had nearly a month in camp, including matches against several local sides and one drawn game.
Travel arrangements and schedule for the Guinea tie
Led by Head Coach Akeem Busari, Nigeria’s U17 girls are expected to depart Lagos on an ASKY Airlines flight. The journey will include a stopover in Lomé, Togo, before the squad continues to Abidjan.
The opening encounter against Guinea is scheduled for Saturday, 23 May, and it forms part of the second-round qualifying pathway for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. That tournament will be hosted in Morocco later this year.
Final preparations in camp after a month of intensive work
For almost a month, the Flamingos have been based in intensive training. They began the camp in Abuja before relocating to Ikenne in Ogun State, where the coaching staff and technical team ran tactical sessions, fitness work, and assessment matches designed to sharpen the squad ahead of the decisive fixture.
Friendlies also played a major role in the preparation process, giving the team clear indications about their attacking output and how quickly they have been building on-field understanding. The Flamingos delivered convincing wins against Generation Next, Nazareth Queens, Solo Wonder Babes, Lakeside Queens FA, and YAFA U-15, and they also managed a competitive draw versus Real Rising Stars SC.
Observers at camp have highlighted rising intensity and a stronger focus as the qualifiers approach. Training sessions under Busari, alongside his assistants, have largely emphasised movement without the ball, pressing, fast attacking transitions, and composure in the final third. Competition for places has remained strong across the squad.
Why Abidjan matters for Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions
The trip to Côte d’Ivoire marks the start of the concluding phase of preparations, with Nigeria aiming to secure another appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. After winning bronze at the 2022 edition in India, the Flamingos carry elevated expectations, and the coaching team will be looking to turn weeks of careful work into a confident showing in the first leg against Guinea on May 23.
